Attracting competent managers to the comparatively low-paying orchestra industry is one of the biggest challenges an ensemble can face, and AJ Blogger Drew McManus sees some exceedingly dangerous and short-sighted philosophies among not only the current executives at American symphonies, but the rising young crop of new managers as well. Particularly at risk from bad management are smaller regional orchestras, where a “part-time” mentality can hamstring an ensemble and keep it in the very back of the symphonic pack for years.
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Radio Comedies Making Noise On London Stage
“Good radio drama, and especially good radio comedy, liberates the listener in the same way as Shakespeare intended his theatre to ‘piece out’ a play’s ‘imperfections’ with our thoughts.” Classic radio comedy is experiencing a bit of a boom in London, and it’s happening not on the airwaves but in Shakespeare’s territory: the theater.
Evangelicals Threaten British Tour Of ‘Jerry Springer’
Ticket sales went up when a militant evangelical group, Christian Voice, started protesting outside performances of “Jerry Springer — The Opera” in London, but its tactics may derail plans for a British tour of the musical. Christian Voice, which this month convinced a cancer charity to refuse a donation from the show, is vowing to picket any theaters on a tour. “The group gained notoriety after it circulated the home addresses and telephone numbers of senior BBC figures when Jerry Springer — The Opera was screened on BBC Two last month. Some people on the list received calls threatening them with ‘bloodshed’.”
Is There An Oscar For Worst Speech?
You’d think, given that they’re in the entertainment business, Oscar winners would put some effort into making their acceptance speeches less cringe-inducing. “If you are a movie star making $20 million per movie, it’s flat out annoying to suggest to people that you don’t know how to speak in public,” says one media trainer. “A highly paid professional should be able to do this.” But how? Experts offer their advice.
Seoul Is Moving To A Broadway Beat
In South Korea, the popularity of musical theater is growing astronomically, even if many of the productions are Korean takes on foreign shows. “The size of the performing arts industry is estimated at 170 billion won, out of which musicals alone account for almost half (80 billion). Total audience numbers at musical dramas during the last year reached 700,000, almost double the 370,000 musical-goers in 2001. The musical industry is recording an average 15 percent annual growth, but experts expect even greater growth in this year.”
La Scala Fires Its Top Exec
“Milan’s La Scala fired its top executive on Thursday as the world-famous opera house battles to plug a growing budget hole. … The theater’s board sacked superintendent Carlo Fontana, citing ‘differences’ with temperamental conductor Riccardo Muti.”
Howard Stern, Latter-Day Pilgrim?
Howard Stern has long cast himself as a take-no-prisoners rebel, but he’s had some real targets for his anger since last April, when the Federal Communications Commission fined him $495,000 for indecency as broadcasters around the country cowered in fear that they’d be next. “Now Howard Stern is taking on not just one establishment but two: the FCC indecency cops and the terrestrial radio conglomerates. That makes him not just a vulgarian, but a renegade.” As he pulls up stakes for Sirius Satellite Radio, will his quest for freedom of expression — and his huge fan base — fuel a revolution?
Museum Bests Preservationists In Columbus Circle Suit
“After being delayed more than a year by litigation, the plan to reclad and recreate 2 Columbus Circle as the new home of the Museum of Arts and Design is poised to proceed after a court decision in its favor yesterday. A five-judge panel of the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court unanimously upheld the earlier dismissal by Justice Walter B. Tolub of a lawsuit against the reconstruction project by three preservation groups – Landmark West, Historic Districts Council and Docomomo.”
On The Waterfront, An Ephemeral Museum
Like “The Gates” in Central Park, an exhibition of large-scale photographs on Pier 54 in Manhattan is not aimed at procrastinators — and neither is the new museum built to house it. After a three-month run, the show and the museum, designed by Shigeru Ban, will head for California. “The entire museum is to be packed in 37 of the 148 cargo containers that form its checkerboard walls. The temporary structure is composed largely of recyclable materials: the roof and columns are made of paper tubes, the steel containers stacked 34 feet high are used, and a handmade curtain to be suspended from the ceiling is made of one million pressed paper tea bags (used, with the tea leaves removed).”
Maazel On Maazel, Or: Happy Birthday To Me
“When Lorin Maazel bounds onto the podium at Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday, he will be wearing formal concert dress. But in a certain way, this jet-setting superstar conductor and, to put it mildly, highly self-assured musician will be standing there naked. In a rare event, the New York Philharmonic program will consist entirely of music composed by Mr. Maazel himself.” The all-Mazel program celebrates the Philharmonic music director’s 75th birthday.